First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

I'm not sure there is a demand for first impressions of Invasion Barbare, since it's a pretty hyped, and equally expensive fragrance. Nonetheless, I offer you my first impressions. I've sprayed this on about 30 minutes ago and let it settle (I added my 12mL sample to an atomizer), so this is very initial impressions:

Upon application (if I may steal from Dollars&Scents), the first thing I get is a tea note, which is not listed in the note breakdown. I think it may be the cardamom, but it is not a "kitchen spice" smell like some often identify with cardamom. It is backed by some sparking citrus, mostly bergamot (lemony) with some grapefruit that I only barely smell when thinking about it hard, so I don't think you would smell it idlely.

Some florals open up pretty quickly, which consists of mainly lavender that is very prominent, but also soft enough to interplay well with the citrus/cardamom combo. I get a little bit of ginger in there, which adds a nice depth and compliment to the citrus especially.

That's all I can detect immediately. Naturally the fragrance will develop over time and perhaps I'll get some of the vanilla in the dry down.
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As for initial impressions, I really like it so far. It's sophisticated in a way I've never smelled (being relatively new to the hobby), and the lavender blends so perfectly with the citrus notes on the top, which offers a very unique take on classic perfumery. I think the cardamom will take some time to understand, since it is a little strange to smell on skin, but it's not really a bad thing.

It's going to take some time to truly appreciate, and I'm not one to jump to any conclusions, so you're not going to read anything like "this is definitely full bottle worthy" or "this is a masterpiece" outside of those two instances. So far though, it's giving off a great first impression.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

I thought it was a bit strange. It a weird fougere-ish sort of thing that seems a bit jumbled. I didn't find that it blended together very seamlessly - notes were sort of sticking out at various times, calling attention to themselves. I found myself more trying to figure it out than enjoying it.

It also seemed a bit weak and didn't last long on me. By comparison, Sartorial is another weird fougere, but one that has a much smoother feeling. A fougere with a slick metallic sheen. It's also "performs" better.

Overall, I was pretty underwhelmed by IB when trying it after all the positive comments I'd read. I didn't find it all that special, and I think it's far too expensive.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

Originally Posted by OctaVariuM

Upon application (if I may steal from Dollars&Scents), the first thing I get is a tea note, which is not listed in the note breakdown. I think it may be the cardamom, but it is not a "kitchen spice" smell like some often identify with cardamom. It is backed by some sparking citrus, mostly bergamot (lemony) with some grapefruit that I only barely smell when thinking about it hard, so I don't think you would smell it idlely.

Don't mistake bergamot for tea, even though it's found in Earl Grey. Very different scent character.

As for initial impressions, I really like it so far. It's sophisticated in a way I've never smelled (being relatively new to the hobby), and the lavender blends so perfectly with the citrus notes on the top, which offers a very unique take on perfumery.

I don't find lavender and citrus unique in the slightest . . . it's been done for at least 150 years. IB's is of unusually high quality though.

What do you think of Invasion Barbare?

Extremely high quality ingredients, lovely composition. I think the cedar (and possibly a parchingly dry synthetic like adoxal?) cut the sweetness of the vanilla drydown so it stays nice and dry. Impeccable balance.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

Don't mistake bergamot for tea, even though it's found in Earl Grey. Very different scent character.

I don't find lavender and citrus unique in the slightest . . . it's been done for at least 150 years. IB's is of unusually high quality though.

Extremely high quality ingredients, lovely composition. I think the cedar (and possibly a parchingly dry synthetic like adoxal?) cut the sweetness of the vanilla drydown so it stays nice and dry. Impeccable balance.

I don't think it is unique as in never done before, I think it is a unique take on something so simple and old (I had that in the initial review, but cut it out since it sounded awkward..I'll add it back by saying "classic perfumery"). And, regardless of whether it isn't actually tea, it still smells like it. I've smelled pure bergamot, and it doesn't smell like tea to my nose.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

It's the best fragrance I own or have tried (by far). It has surprisingly strong sillage and longevity, and just wait until the dry down when the slightly animalic musk kicks in to blend with the vanilla and woods...it's spectacular. It's also one of those that gets better the more you wear it.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

Originally Posted by Buysblind

It's the best fragrance I own or have tried (by far). It has surprisingly strong sillage and longevity, and just wait until the dry down when the slightly animalic musk kicks in to blend with the vanilla and woods...it's spectacular. It's also one of those that gets better the more you wear it.

I predict you'll own a bottle by the end of the month.

Lol. I actually already have 24mL of it to go through first, so probably not a month :P. Still, it is getting better and better the more it settles down. The lavender quiets down a bit which is interesting.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

I wasn't impressed as much as I thought I would be. Very good longevity and sillage though. I'll have to try it again before I flat out say I didn't like it, but I didn't find it as engaging as I had hoped.

I had tried 1725 before this one, and like Jack Hunter said, the two share something in their overall feel, and the whole time I tried IB, I kept feeling that I'd smelled this done (several times) before. Good quality, well blended, pleasant smelling, but I felt it was a tad too uninspired to warrant the fortune they're asking for it (bust cap or not), as inoffensive and "pleasant" as it is.

Like other fragrances I've smelled in the past though, I suppose there's a chance I'll come back to it in the future and find my opinion has changed.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

And, regardless of whether it isn't actually tea, it still smells like it. I've smelled pure bergamot, and it doesn't smell like tea to my nose.

Perhaps it's the violet leaf then.

Originally Posted by Partario

I wasn't impressed as much as I thought I would be. Very good longevity and sillage though. I'll have to try it again before I flat out say I didn't like it, but I didn't find it as engaging as I had hoped.

I had tried 1725 before this one, and like Jack Hunter said, the two share something in their overall feel, and the whole time I tried IB, I kept feeling that I'd smelled this done (several times) before. Good quality, well blended, pleasant smelling, but I felt it was a tad too uninspired to warrant the fortune they're asking for it (bust cap or not), as inoffensive and "pleasant" as it is.

Yes I agree this one is "pleasant" and not super unique. The character of it certainly doesn't fit the bold name.

Originally Posted by NewHaarlem

It's nice but not worth its price tag, IMO. I'd rather go with the way cheaper Rive Gauche.

I don't get a relation between IB and RGpH at all. I find RG very crude and much, much sweeter. (Nobody else finds RG sweet so I'm thinking it might be rectified birch tar, which often comes off as sweet wintergreen to my nose, or something.)

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

The way to go is to get the sample pack. The $112 you spend gets you 24ml of invasion and 3 more 12ml samples, and it is completely refunded when you purchase a bottle. So, effectively, you get 120 ml of fragrance for the $250 price tag of a non bust bottle.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

Originally Posted by OctaVariuM

The way to go is to get the sample pack. The $112 you spend gets you 24ml of invasion and 3 more 12ml samples, and it is completely refunded when you purchase a bottle. So, effectively, you get 120 ml of fragrance for the $250 price tag of a non bust bottle.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

Originally Posted by MonkeyBars

Thank you for that.

No worries. It seems a lot of people don't know, and Claude (the owner of the company) is a really nice guy and deals with everything personally, and will make special requests or suggestions if you want them.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

There are definitely strategies for acquiring IB below the sticker price, and they all involve the generous MDCI sample program.

I have mentioned this before, but I built a 50ml stash for less than half the cost of retail by targeting unwanted 10ml sample bottles that were sold off by folks (mostly women) who included IB in their sample pack.

Re: First Impression(s)-Invasion Barbare

Quality that leaves no doubt, but just didn't click with me in two different samples. I couldn't wrap my nose around it. Maybe it is just so different than anything else I wear, it makes me uneasy with it.

I don't get a relation between IB and RGpH at all. I find RG very crude and much, much sweeter. (Nobody else finds RG sweet so I'm thinking it might be rectified birch tar, which often comes off as sweet wintergreen to my nose, or something.)